BALTIMORE, Md. — Officials from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) gathered at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall) on March 12, 2025, to remind residents of the impending Federal REAL ID Act enforcement. Starting May 7, 2025, Marylanders will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued ID, or another federally accepted form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
The REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, aims to enhance security standards for identification. The Department of Homeland Security postponed the original deadline due to COVID-19 disruptions, setting the final compliance date for May 7, 2025. With less than two months remaining, Maryland officials highlighted the state’s readiness. “Maryland is fully prepared for the REAL ID implementation, and I’m proud to announce that 99% of Maryland residents are REAL ID compliant, one of the top rates in the country,” said MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “We’ve made it easy for customers to assess whether they are compliant, or not, through a myMVA account.”
Residents can check their REAL ID status by creating a myMVA account online, which also provides access to driver and vehicle records. Alternatively, the MVA’s REAL ID Lookup Tool allows users to verify compliance by entering their driver’s license or ID number at the designated website. For renewals, the MVA permits applications up to 12 months before expiration. Eligible customers must submit one proof of age and identity, one proof of Social Security, and two proofs of Maryland residency. Maryland-born individuals can obtain a certified birth certificate at MVA branches in Annapolis, Baltimore City, Essex, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Largo, and Salisbury to meet the identity requirement.
BWI Marshall, Maryland’s busiest airport, is gearing up for the change. “As Maryland’s primary gateway for air travel, BWI Marshall Airport is ready for the changes that the REAL ID Act brings,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration. “Our team has been working hard to ensure a smooth transition for all passengers.” The airport served over 27 million passengers in 2023, per MAA data, making compliance critical for travelers.
Maryland’s high compliance rate reflects years of preparation. Since 2009, the MVA has issued REAL ID-compliant licenses, marked by a star in the upper right corner, as noted on its website. Non-compliant licenses, labeled “Not for Federal Identification,” will no longer suffice for air travel or federal access after May 7. The TSA accepts alternatives like passports, military IDs, or Global Entry cards, but officials urge residents to update licenses to avoid last-minute issues.
The MVA has streamlined the process, offering online document checklists and appointment scheduling. More details are available at the MVA REAL ID page. With Maryland’s 99% compliance—among the highest nationally, per TSA reports—the state stands out as a leader in meeting the federal mandate, ensuring residents and travelers face minimal disruption come May.
